Property and Equipment, Net - Components of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 2,952,074	$ 2,828,446
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,276,833)	(1,161,631)
Property and equipment, net	1,675,241	1,666,815
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	286,200	286,200
Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	354,544	316,774
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	670,121	645,013
Rides, Attractions and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	1,433,246	1,368,018
Animals [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	142,147	158,199
Construction in Process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 65,816	$ 54,242